Sheffield Utd (A) - Verdict thread, 14/09/20

[Tony Towner]

I like the front three of Raul, Neto and Podence an awful lot. Really offers something different to the usual Raul/Jota/Traore combo- I might even prefer it.

What's great about these 5 is they all offer something different. Teams will have to plan differently for each one without knowing, Raul aside, who will play.

 

[sycophantia]

Plus Neto's pass to Mout and then his sprint upfield. Two minutes into the season and that could well be Team Goal of the Year

Plus Saiss? knock down to Neto from the ball in

 

[b3h]

I turned on at 1.0, went to grab a drink and then it was 2.0. Guess I should stop watching us?

 

[YoungWolf]

Have watched the whole game back now, overall a very comfortable win having gone 2-0 up so early, great stuff.

Our shape was very interesting, not the 343 I first thought when looking at the team. I suspect some of it was to allow Leander to support Adama, while Neto gave us a lot of mobility on the other side too. Moutinho just sitting and dictating the play means we can probably afford to rotate him and Neves at times to keep them fresh if necessary. In general, I thought the movement of Dendoncker, Neto, Raul and Podence was outstanding, mainly in the first half. Very fluid, plenty of rotation and slick passing to progress up the pitch.

Second half I thought they only properly threatened in first fifteen, last half an hour was just a classic us slowing the game down and defending the box exceptionally. Sharp got behind Boly a few times but bringing on Buur was a very good decision as he just sat a bit deeper and supported Boly to deny them that space.

Very impressed with Marcal on the ball, not sure he'll get too high up the pitch but a good alternative to Vinagre (if he stays) or a potential new left wing-back.

Jimenez and Saiss were outstanding

 

[Langers]

Dendoncker's new haircut makes him look like a monk.

 

[The Saturday Boy]

Wolves dropped into economy mode after about 30 minutes - very little wasted energy and this has been a feature of Nuno’s entire tenure. Most of Sheffield’s chances were a result of individual errors.

It was at times wonderful. Mostly professional. Occasional below standards. 6 points from 6 after the next game.

 

[Paul]

Dendoncker's new haircut makes him look like a monk.

Just came back on to say the same. Remember the first ever series of Blackadder ?

 

[The Bion]

To be honest, after having looked at the (league) fixtures

Man City
West Ham
Fulham
Leeds
Newcastle
Palace

Could be in for a very good start indeed

 

[Langers]

Just came back on to say the same. Remember the first ever series of Blackadder ?

I thought exactly the same :icon_lol:

 

[BillyDee]

Dendoncker's new haircut makes him look like a monk.

Well it obviously worked for Zizou, so...

 

[darlowolf64]

Plus Saiss? knock down to Neto from the ball in

The head down at the edge of the box was Marcal

 

[pr0sl0]

Excellent first half, second half looked like a team without a preseason running out of stamina - but at the same time, still definitely deserved the win on the balance of chances and overall control of the game. SU had I think three really good chances to score, but then we had maybe five or six, plus we were just the better team on the ball even allowing for some early season rustiness.

On Marçal, he strikes me as a left-sided upgrade on Bennett. Never going to give you much going forward, and clearly a defender first and foremost, but you can still stick him out wide in a wing-back system and trust him to hold the shape well, make interceptions, track runners, and lay the ball off quickly enough to keep moves going. I think he's ideal bench cover for both Saiss and Vinagre/whoever else we might get in to play true LWB.

 

[Johnny75]

I think that's harsh on Marçal, he looked a very good footballer, particularly in tight situations and his passing into midfield was very good. Bennett doesn't come close.

 

[Tyrannosaurus Dan]

You could see his experience in how calm and composed he looked.

I'm not sure how much he will offer us in an attacking sense but I guess that will come as he gets used to the role. I suppose with Podence/Neto playing yesterday evening he didn't really need to be bombing down the wing anyway.

 

[YoungWolf]

His use of the ball was excellent, liked his disguise to stay on the ball longer and retain possession. Agree he may not get that high and deliver crosses but may depend on personnel/opponents

 

[sycophantia]

The head down at the edge of the box was Marcal

Wasn't sure if it was Saiss or Marcal, hence my question mark....still whoever it was, it was very cool

 

[sycophantia]

I think that's harsh on Marçal, he looked a very good footballer, particularly in tight situations and his passing into midfield was very good. Bennett doesn't come close.

Yep, he defended very well and classy on the ball....not sure if he has the pace or motor to play wb though, suspect he will be used for specific games

 

[pr0sl0]

I think that's harsh on Marçal, he looked a very good footballer, particularly in tight situations and his passing into midfield was very good. Bennett doesn't come close.

I don't mean to denigrate him, I thought he looked good too, and not at all out of place - but then I also think Bennett was good at RWB, hence the comparison. It's just what either of them bring in terms of the balance of their respective sides of the pitch.

 

[Stan Hullis]

They got absolutely nothing down our left flank yesterday, mainly due to Saiss/Marcal playing very well.

 

[Tredman]

I thought Marçal looked very comfortable on the ball - very much in the Jonny mould. Steady and strong first, with a limited ability to get forward.